By Heather Monahan
Features Assignment Editor
Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. However, no one has more pride than those with Irish heritage on the holiday.
Freshman marketing major James Thompson said although his pride peaks on March 17, the feeling is present year-round.
“All Irish people are awesome and enjoy life,” Thompson said. “Irish people are strong willed, strong in the family sense and extremely loyal.”
Thompson said both sides of his family are strongly Irish. He remembers quite a few family traditions that revolved around his heritage.
“We have potatoes at every family gathering, along with Irish music playing during family get-togethers,” he said. “We watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and enjoy time with family. Then it’s fun with friends and doing what the Irish do best.”
Matthew Connelly, a junior journalism and mass communication major, agreed and said his sense of pride is strong around the holiday.
“I love it, I grew up in a very Irish family,” Connelly said. “Growing up in New York City, I would go to the parade every year and skip school. I love everything about it.”
While he has strong Irish lineage, Connelly said he believes St. Patrick’s Day is for everyone.
“It’s just one of those days you appreciate everything in America and how it’s a melting pot,” he said.
While many students at Bonaventure just celebrate their Irish lineage from their homes in the states, some students and alumni have had the thrill of visiting the land of their ancestors.
Kayla O’Keefe, ‘12, said when she traveled to Ireland, she couldn’t make it to her ancestors’ hometown, but still had a great time visiting the big cities.
“There are no words I can put together to describe the beauty of Ireland,” O’Keefe said. “The green of the pastures is the richest green imaginable, there’s innumerable sheep grazing on the hillsides and everyone is so friendly, warm and welcoming.”
While her heritage is only 25 percent Irish, there’s no doubt her pride is 100 percent.
“Although I’m only a quarter Irish, I take great pride in every single percentage of it,” O’Keefe said. “The fact that Ireland has been able to withstand so much maltreatment after all these years is a victory in itself. Irish people should be proud of their ancestors’ resilience.”
When O’Keefe was in Ireland, she said she saw nothing but pride from those residing there.
“I saw that people from Ireland take great pride in being Irish, and for a good reason,” she said. “Ireland is the origin of the best food, sports, music, dancing, folklore…not to mention the best beers.”
O’Keefe said she recalls her grandmother making corned beef and cabbage. Her mother even colored mashed potatoes green when she was younger. She now carries on St. Patrick’s Day traditions of her own.
“St. Patrick’s Day usually lasts anywhere between one and three days,” O’Keefe said. “I’ll take any excuse to get all dressed up in green and drink green beer. Overall, it’s a great time to spend time with family and friends even if they’re not Irish.”
One Bonaventure student who doesn’t have much Irish heritage will be spending the highly-acclaimed Irish holiday right on the Emerald Isle.
Julia Anderson, a junior sports studies major, is currently studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland.
“I do have some Irish background, but not a lot,” Anderson said. “Some of my ancestors are from Northern Ireland. But when I came here, it’s really interesting to see the place where my family has visited and see the culture in general.”
While she does have lineage from the country she currently resides in, she said she doesn’t mention it to the locals.
“If you say to an Irish person here that you’re Irish and they hear your American accent, they first ask if your parents were from Ireland,” she said. “Most likely they’re not, so the Irish here get confused and somewhat offended as to why you would call yourself Irish.”
Anderson also said she feels her appreciation for the culture has increased significantly since being in the country.
“Being here, I feel like I’m more Irish than most people at home who have Irish ancestors,” Anderson said. “It’s because I’m living here and talking to the people and becoming immersed in their culture. Most Irish people in America never get that chance, and I’m lucky to be a part of it.”
Anderson said she feels lucky to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
“This St. Paddy’s day I’ll be celebrating like the true Irish in Dublin,” she said. “This is an event I’m able to check off my bucket list and I could not be more excited.”
So while it’s true that everyone can act Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Anderson affirms that actually being Irish or living in Ireland is a completely different experience.
“There’s no one out there that parties or has a better time than the Irish.” she said.
